Nose Work 101: Introductory Skills

Your instructor will help your dog develop a search pattern while building their love of the game.  Using their nose is natural and fun to your dog, so our skilled instructor, will help them determine how odor moves in various progressions.  This is a great confidence builder for shy dogs, mental exercise for active dogs!  No prior obedience needed, but reactive dogs need instructor approval to attend class.  

Needed Supplies:  8-12 foot lightweight leash, harness, high value treats. There is a $5 (cash) kit fee to provide a FDD (food dispensing device).  If your dog is HIGHLY motivated by toys over food, please bring two identical toys.

Nose Work 201:  Teamwork

Nose Work 201 focuses on the owner/handler learning reward timing, leash skills, pre-search routines and footwork.  Dogs will imprint on target odor provided by our instructor.  (Birch if you are interested in Nose work competition trials or consult with our instructor about using a unique scent).  Nose Work work is a team sport with your dog taking the lead.  Learn the subtleties of body language and leash skills to help the dog find the hidden odor!  This class will focus mainly on container searches, but occasionally do “find the hidden odor” and interior searches.  

Needed Supplies:  8-12 foot lightweight leash, harness, high value treats. There is a $5 (cash) kit fee to provide birch scent in a tube for training at home.  If your dog is HIGHLY motivated by toys over food, please bring two identical toys.

Nose Work 301:  Natural & Trained Formal Alerts

Building on NW 201, the owner/handler will begin to fine tune “reading” the dog’s body language to notice when odor had been detected and found.  Discussion of a formal alert and the pros and con will be discussed early on, in addition to, learning how to develop the trained formal alert.  

This class will introduce all of the AKC (American KennelClub) Elements for competition and their various challenges.  Homework will be about 10 minutes a day between class sessions.

Needed Supplies:  8-12 foot leash, optional harness, FDD/Toy rewards.

Nose Work 401: Two Odors

This class is for students with an AKC Novice level one title in one or more elements and are ready to move on to imprinting on a second odor (Anise).  Classroom drills will include the combinations of two scents in the hide area.  We will continue to work on handler skills, scent puzzles, various AKC Elements and Alerts based on the strengths and weaknesses of he individual students.  Homework will be about 10 minutes a day between class sessions.

Needed Supplies:  8-12 foot leash, optional harness, FDD/Toy rewards, $5 (cash) kit fee to provide new Anise odor in a tube for homework.